Why a CD?
Some will question the seriousness of CD as a demo medium at all. Isn’t CD so last millennium in comparison with newer high resolution formats? Technically, the question may be relevant and deserves a considered response. CD quality, (stereo, 44.1 kHz sampling rate and 16-bit constant bit depth) has been criticised since the early 1980’s for limited bandwidth, restricted bit resolution and dynamic range of “only” 96 dB.
Many early CD releases were irrefutably bad; cold, aggressive, anaemic bass, harsh top end, perhaps because the best recording and mastering engineers still focused on the LP. CD required a new skill set, continued development of digital recording technologies and new techniques for transferring and mixing analogue tapes. With a steep learning curve, CD quality is now much improved. 96 dB dynamic range, properly captured, 20 Hz – 20 kHz frequency bandwidth, properly rolled off, etc., are more than up to the task of handling demanding performances with surprising verisimilitude.
One could argue that the main value of high resolution formats is that they allow engineers and manufacturers of digital recording equipment more leeway in exploring the dynamics and extended frequency response of hi-rez media. Extracting outstanding sound from CD is altogether more demanding.
It should also be noted that many recordings come nowhere near testing the technical limits of CD. Extreme dynamic compression is applied in pop genres for CD and download to boost levels to a constant high “loudness” to make music more “exciting” on cheap headphones, portable players or in a car. The sound of many modern performances and even remasterings of older recordings is compressed to a narrow 10 – 15 dB dynamic range, by turning down dynamic peaks and boosting quiet passages so that the track’s high uniform loudness grabs and holds the listener’s attention. This is quite a departure from the hi-fi goal of natural, engaging musicality.
In this context, 96 dB of dynamic range is more than adequate and, properly deployed, can offer near perfection. The day may well come when audiophiles look back in nostalgic gratitude that we were ever allowed to experience a widespread high quality medium like CD, before the mainstream consumer was steered towards MP3 and other heavily compressed formats vastly inferior to CD.
Let us enjoy the wealth of musical treasures available to us now – Long live the CD!
Lars Worre, Managing Director, DALI
THE DALI CD's
With the fifth CD released in 2018, the DALI musical project has already become a firmly rooted tradition among loyal DALI customers. We are often asked "When will the next volume be available?".
DALI CD VOL 1
The 'DALI CD VOL 1' is a compilation of various tracks personally and carefully selected with the purpose of giving music lovers the chance to enjoy the full potential of their DALI loudspeakers. The 'DALI CD VOL 1' is, in other words, a collection of great recordings from great musicians.
DALI CD VOL. 2
The 15 chosen tracks on the DALI CD Vol. 2 differ in both musical style and rhythm. Some tracks are well-known, a few of them even true classic, others will introduce you to a totally new musical experience. Enjoy.
DALI CD VOL. 3
DALI CD 3 will introduce you to 'new' music (if you haven’t heard it before, any music is “new”) for the inspiration and listening pleasure of music lovers. Inevitably, not every track will be to your taste, but we believe that everyone will find something new and worthwhile. Give it a few spins and see.
DALI CD VOL 4
The 'DALI CD VOL 4' is a mix of household names and less familiar artists in various genres, recorded, mixed and mastered using different methods.
The DALI LP
The 'DALI LP' is based on the DALI CD, Vol. 4 and contains a mix of household names and less familiar artists in various genres, recorded, mixed and mastered using different methods.
DALI ALBUM VOL. 5
The 'DALI ALBUM VOL 5' is released on both CD & LP. The compilation is produced by DALI and contains no less than 17 completely different Danish artists/groups from as many different musical genres. Each individual recording is made live in the legendary Medley Studios with all instruments, musicians, separate microphone set-ups and necessary mixing gear installed on spot.
